You Have Got To Be Kidding!

This past Thursday night, Canada defeated the United States 2-0 to win the Olympic gold medal in women’s ice hockey. Long after the crowds had gone, 14 players returned to the ice and toasted each other with bottles of champagne and cans of beer. Haley Irwin playfully poured a drink into Tessa Bonhomme's mouth, and tournament MVP Meghan Agosta and others enjoyed cigars, the smoke wafting up into the now empty stands. To make matters even more interesting, Marie-Philip Poulin, still a few weeks too young to drink legally in British Columbia, where the drinking age is 19, was seen holding a beer.

Although I said the stands were empty, they weren’t completely empty. Stadium employees were going about their post game duties and that nefarious group known as the media was still lurking about.

Evidently someone spilled the beans and informed the International Olympic Committee about the revolting celebration display. Hmm, I wonder who blew the whistle on the exuberant young ladies from Canada? I doubt that it was the Zamboni driver.

No, it was a reporter from the Associated Press who informed Gilbert Felli, the International Olympic Committee's executive director of the Olympic Games. Felli said he wasn't aware of the celebration until informed by the reporter. He then issued the following statement:

"If that's the case, that is not good. It is not what we want to see," he said. "I don't think it's a good promotion of sport values. If they celebrate in the changing room, that's one thing, but not in public.”

You Have Got To Be Kidding!

Okay, granted it might have been better had they held their celebration in the privacy of the dressing room, but they didn’t. But there were no fans in the stands, just some a reporter who was looking to be the latest “Deep Throat”.

I know that this was the Olympics, the biggest stage for women’s hockey, but please - give me a break. What happens tomorrow night if members of the gold medal winning men’s hockey team brazenly choose to drink some champagne or smoke a cigar after the game?

I will be watching with great interest.

Having managed competitive softball teams for the better part of two decades, I was fortunate enough to have been part of numerous victory celebrations. Guess how we celebrated? You got it; we drank alcohol and occasionally smoked a cigar.

Did I mention that I managed both men and women softball teams? Well I did, and I am proud to announce that the celebrations were pretty much the same. The players named Shirley, Sharon and Carolyn celebrated in a very similar fashion to those named Bruce, Jimmy or Ron. In fact, when it came to a celebratory cigar after a big win, Connie “Stretch” Sutherland could match Mark “Skag” Montague puff for puff.

By the way, in Alberta where the Canadian women’s hockey team trains, the legal drinking age is 18; so don’t be so hard on Miss Poulin.

With all this in mind, Gilbert Felli and the rest of the IOC, should stop getting their panties in a bunch. All I have to say to that snake-in-the-grass AP reporter is - You Have Got To Be Kidding! Until next time…from the booth.

Where Was The Other Challenge?

Tonight’s episode of Survivor wasn’t that bad. It got rid of some more dead weight, namely Randy. Plus the Immunity Challenge was very entertaining. It was a hybrid version of Sumo-Mud wrestling, with the Heroes winning all eight matches. The only problem was that we didn’t get a Reward Challenge. Sure they said the winning tribe not only won Immunity, but also received coffee, sugar, some rice and a personal individual luxury item. But we still got screwed out of an actual Reward Challenge.

The results of the Immunity Challenge were as follows:

Match 1 – Tom over Russell
Match 2 – Candice over Parvati
Match 3 – Rupert over Coach
Match 4 – Cirie over Jerri
Match 5 – J.T. over Tyson
Match 6 – Amanda over Danielle
Match 7 – Colby over Boston Rob
Match 8 – James over Randy

Courtney and Sandra sat out because the Villain’s tribe had 2 extra members.

All of the battles were enjoyable, with Candice vs. Parvati and Colby vs. Boston Rob being the most competitive match-ups. The highlight of the Challenge was when Coach thought that he had defeated Rupert, only to find out that he had fouled and a restart was ordered. The look on Coach’s face reminded me just how demented and spastic he can be.

Most of the other bright spots this evening involved Coach. At one point he declared that no one in Survivor is honorable. He then paused and added, “Except me.” He also brought back his fascinating fireside stories, which had his tribe mates rolling their eyes and shaking their heads.

Russell, the Hall-of-Famer, was up to his old tricks, this time hiding his tribe’s machete. He said he was just trying to stir things up. He also had his eye on Boston Rob’s treasured Red Sox hat. The two alpha males from the Villain’s tribe will butt heads and I think it will be sooner rather then later.

Random Ramblings – Tyson should just shut up! His comments aren’t clever and he adds nothing to the show…Just who are Candice, Courtney and Danielle? I definitely will not miss them when they are voted off…I don’t think that J.T. makes a very good bad guy. He just comes off as a little snitch…The Villains better watch out. Sandra is just going with the “flow” again…Finally, why is Cirie appearing on Survivor for a third time? For crying out loud, she was afraid of leaves!

Other than that, it was pretty much standard Survivor fare, albeit at an All-Star level. I just hope that they keep the players that actually possess a personality and continue to vote off the nondescript ones - Courtney, Candice, Danielle, Cirie, Tyson, Sandra, Amanda… Until next time…from the booth.

Favorites By The Number…Part Two

In my second installment of favorite athletes by the number I will cover uniform numbers 21 through 40. Some numbers are more challenging than others to find a favorite for, but I will attempt to justify each of my choices.

#21 - Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates. This gifted outfielder had exactly 3000 base hits when his life and career ended suddenly in a tragic plane crash on November 22, 1972 while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was a great athlete who was an even greater human being.

#22 - Elijah Pitts, Green Bay Packers. Pitts, a running back in the '60s played his college ball at Philander Smith. He too also left us early, succumbing to stomach cancer in 1998 at age 60.

#23 - Pete Maravich, LSU Tigers. The "Pistol" was the greatest scorer in NCAA basketball history, averaging 44.2 points a game. The amazing thing is that he did this prior to the 3-point shot being introduced. Sadly, he passed on at the very young age of 40.

#24, #25 and #26 - Willie Wood, Bob Jeter and Herb Adderley, Green Bay Packers. This trio comprised 75% of the defensive backfield during the Packers glory years. Before turning pro, Wood played at USC, Jeter at Iowa and Adderley at Michigan State.

#27 - Paul Kelly, Kenosha Flyers. Kelly tended goal for the Flyers back in the '70s in the old Continental Hockey League. During the 1974-75 season, he led Kenosha to the Walmar Cup Championship, the CHL's version of the Stanley Cup.

#28 - Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers. Being a man of size myself, I have been a fan of the Brewer slugger since he took over for Lyle Overbay. I am currently introducing Prince to my friends in Great Britain.

#29 - Mark Brouhard, Milwaukee Brewers. Although never a star, Brouhard went 3 for 4 with a double, a homer, 3 RBI and a record 4 runs scored in Game 4 of the '82 ALCS against the California Angels. He was filling in for Ben Oglivie who was out with sore ribs. To top this off, I was in the left field bleachers with Kevin Hoff, Bill Meurer and Jimmy Gentile.

#30 - Gerry Cheevers, Boston Bruins. This netminder played with the Bruins from 1965 to 1980. I loved his mask. He would paint a short line on it to indicate wherever he would have received stitches had he not been wearing it.

#31 - Jim Taylor, Green Bay Packers. This hard-nosed fullback from LSU asked no quarter and gave none. His battles with Sam Huff and Chuck Bednarik are legendary.

#32 - Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers. The "Italian Stallion" made me a fan with his "Immaculate Reception" against the Oakland Raiders on December 23, 1972 in an AFL divisional playoff game.

#33 - Larry Bird, Boston Celtics. My favorite Bird "moment" occurred in the finals of the 1986 NBA 3-point competition against Craig Hodges. Bird, ever the gentleman, congratulated Hodges for finishing second. Thing is, neither man had shot yet! Needless to say, Bird was correct, Hodges did indeed finish second.

#34 - Charles Barkley, Former NBA Star. I enjoyed the "Round-Mound-of Rebound" throughout his professional career with the Sixers, Suns and Rockets. However, I enjoy him even more now that he has retired and does color commentary for TNT.

#35 - Tony Esposito, Chicago Blackhawks. Tony "O" was my favorite goaltender back in the day. It didn't hurt that he was a goomba.

#36 - LeRoy Butler, Green Bay Packers. The fact that he originated the "Lambeau Leap" should be enough reason for Butler to be a favorite. When you add a career marks of 38 interceptions and 20.5 sacks, it becomes a no-brainer.

#37 - Mark Murphy, Green Bay Packers. I am referring to the hard-hitting safety that played for the Pack in the '80s, not the current Packers' President and CEO. You know, the bald guy.

#38 - No One. I couldn't come up with anyone wearing this number who could remotely be considered a favorite. After doing a little research I found out why. No team in MLB, the NFL, the NBA or the NHL has ever retired No. 38.

#39 - Larry Csonka, Miami Dolphins. Another bruising fullback makes my list. After "Zonk" retired, he went on to do commentary on American Gladiators.

#40 - Vince Lombardi, Fordham University. That's right, Lombardi wore #40 when he played guard on Fordham's famous "Seven Blocks of Granite" offensive line in 1936 and '37.

That's it for this list. I imagine there were some surprises. After my next Survivor recap, I will give you the guys with jersey numbers 41 through 60. Until then…From The Booth.

Favorites By The Number…Part One

I have been a sports fanatic since the early 1960s. From that period to the present, many athletes have become personal favorites of mine. Since there is a lull in the sports scene right now, I have decided to do a few columns that will feature those athletes. Being a fan of lists, this is the manner in which I will present them. Also, being somewhat anal retentive, the list will be done numerically, using the player's uniform number. Here are my first 20.

#1 - Oscar Robertson, Milwaukee Bucks. The "Big O" led the Bucks to their only NBA Championship in 1971.

#2 - Junior Bridgeman, Milwaukee Bucks. This former Buck has become a prominent figure with the Wendy's corporation.

#3 - Dale Murphy, Atlanta Braves. This former catcher became a five-tool center fielder that won MVP awards for the Braves in 1982 and '83.

#4 - Paul Molitor, Milwaukee Brewers and Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks. This number is dead even for me. Both are all-time greats in their respective sports. Conspicuous by his absence is a certain #4 that now plays football on the other side of the Mississippi River.

#5 - Paul Hornung, Green Bay Packers. The "Golden Boy" was Vince Lombardi's favorite and my first real sports hero ever.

#6 - Sal Bando, Milwaukee Brewers, Carl Furillo, Brooklyn Dodgers, Tony Lazzeri, New York Yankees and Rico Petrocelli, Boston Red Sox. I don't really have a favorite number 6, so I chose four Italian-American baseball players that wore it.

#7 - Reggie Dunlop, Charlestown Chiefs. Aging player/coach for the Chiefs in the movie Slap Shot. I am also a big fan of the actor who portrayed Reg - Paul Newman. R.I.P. Paul.

#8 - Cam Neely, Boston Bruins. NHL star that was the first winger that I ever heard referred to as a "power forward". And he was!

#9 - Randy Hundley, Chicago Cubs. The "Rebel" was my very first baseball favorite. His given name is Cecil Randolph Hundley.

#10 - Ron Santo, Chicago Cubs. Although I now despise everything about the Cubs, I have to admire what this man has overcome in his life. He is a real fighter.

#11 - Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers. Another NHL great that played forever.

#12 - Zeke Bratkowski, Green Bay Packers. Zeke was Bart Starr's backup on the greatest team ever. He accomplished this despite being drafted originally by the hated Chicago Bears.

#13 - Chester Marcol and Chris Jacke, Green Bay Backers. A couple of kickers that made watching the Green and Gold fun, albeit for different reasons.

#14 - Brendan Shanahan, Detroit Red Wings (primarily). Yet another NHL guy makes my list. Shanahan not only "lights the lamp", but he will knock the snot out of you if you get out of line.

#15 - Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers. Starr was the field general for Lombardi's dynasty. His given name is Bryan Bartlett Starr. Bart is a remarkable, giving person who should be a role model for today’s young athletes.

#16 - Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers. Clarke was the captain and star center during the Flyers' "Broad Street Bullies" championship run.

#17 - Jim Gantner, Milwaukee Brewers. "Gumby" was as fierce a competitor as you would ever see. Now he does TV commercials for bad feet and not being able to hear. Huh?

#18 - Andy Van Slyke, Pittsburgh Pirates (primarily). Van Slyke was the first to tell everyone what they already knew - former teammate, Barry Bonds was/is a total jerk. Word Andy.

#19 - Robin Yount, Milwaukee Brewers. I still can see "The Kid" riding his motorcycle around County Stadium's warning track during the Crew's post World Series celebration. Yount won MVP awards as both a shortstop and a center fielder.

#20 - Gorman Thomas, Milwaukee Brewers. "Stormin'" was always a favorite. His down-to-earth demeanor and balls-to-the-wall style of play made him hard not to like. Now if he had only been healthy for game 7 against St. Louis…

That's my first 20. Next up will be numbers 21 through 40. Until next time…From The Booth.

Some “Stuff” Changes, Some Don’t

Tonight’s episode went by very quickly for me, but not without a lot of “stuff” happening. “Stuff” like Boston Rob passing out in the jungle. “Stuff” like the Reward and Immunity Challenges being combined. “Stuff” like Russell proving to be prophetic. And there was some “stuff” that changed my opinion of a Hero, while some other “stuff” did not alter how I felt about another Hero. A lot of “stuff” happened!

When the show opened this evening, Boston Rob bemoaned the fact that the Villain Tribe was a bunch of do-nothing dunderheads. No matter how hard Boston Rob worked, the Bad Guys couldn’t build a decent shelter. And it was wearing him down, both physically and emotionally.

So much so that he passed out in the jungle while going for some much needed water. But not to worry, a little medical attention and a few reassuring words from the award-winning Jeff Probst and Boston Rob was raring to go. Wiping a tear from his cheek, he looked into the camera and said, “Survivor is my life!”

That’s some good “stuff”.

Next up was the Reward/Immunity combo Challenge and it would set the tone for the remainder of the show. Just like last week, the Heroes jumped out to a huge lead, pushing the giant building blocks much quicker than the Villains.

Then, just like last week, the immense advantage disappeared when it came to figuring out how to arrange the blocks into an oversized set of stairs. While the Bad Guys followed Boston Rob’s lead, the Good Guys paid no attention to J.T. and bickered with one another.

I have to admit, I rather enjoyed seeing the Heroes panicking and talking smack to one another.

More good “stuff”.

It was at this point I realized what a prophet Russell “the Hall-of-Famer” was. It was just last week that he opened the 20th season by saying, “Villains are smarter than Heroes. It’s a proven fact. Google it!”

Based on the results of the first two Immunity Challenges, that’s some Nostradamus “stuff”.

When they returned back to their camp, the Heroes were forced to do something that they weren’t used to doing. They had to start scheming, lying and backstabbing. And they weren’t very good at it.

It was at this point that Tom got on his moral pulpit and decided that James should not have spoken so rudely to Stephenie during the challenge. However, Rupert, Amanda, J.T., and James didn’t see it hat way and were united in wanting to vote off the whiny Stephenie.

Tom convinced Colby to join him and stand up for the oppressed Stephenie. This left Candace and Cirie as the swing votes. Unfortunately for Stephenie, they swung with Rupert, Amanda, J.T. and James, and she was told “the tribe had spoken” and was the second Hero eliminated in as many weeks.

Some “stuff” happened prior to and during Tribal Council that changed my opinion of a Hero that used to be among my favorites. Tom declared that, “I would love to tell James what a winner and a loser is and where he fits into the equation.”

Huh?

Then at Tribal Council he replied to a statement that James made by telling him, “Maybe in your world, but I’m not from your world.”

Double huh?

It was at that instance when I realized that Tom had a certain air of superiority and sincerely felt that he was a better human being than James.

That kind of “stuff” changed my opinion of a Hero that used to be a big favorite. Tom no longer is.

However, the “stuff” that Stephenie did tonight did nothing to alter how I felt about her. Although she has always been an excellent player, her persistent whining and sense of entitlement have prevented me from ever being a fan of hers.

Like I said, some “stuff” changes, some don’t. Until next time…from the booth.

We Was Robbed!

The Tirabassi Excavators have been the benchmark for slow-pitch softball in Kenosha since the early 1960s. Back in October of 2008 I wrote a column titled Early Softball Memories, which chronicled the beginning of the Tirabassi dynasty. This team has been the New York Yankees, Boston Celtics, Montreal Canadiens and Green Bay Packers all rolled into one for over forty-five years. They have been that good for that long.

During the 1980s my 400 Club team had several classic match-ups with the Tirabassi juggernaut. Unfortunately, we were always on the short end of the score in every one of those games. Not once during my illustrious career as manger of the legendary 400 Club did we beat Tirabassi.

Never. Not once. Not in a tournament, not even in a city league game.

As hard as it is to do, I must admit that they were simply a better team then we were. Tirabassi always attracted the top athletes in town. They had no problem “luring” the best players from other teams. This became painfully evident to me when they later “acquired” two of the best players I ever had, Matt Montemurro and Bruce “Hollywood” Meyers.

That is why it aggravated me greatly whenever we had the chance to beat Tirabassi and we let it slip through our fingers. However, it was even worse when it wasn’t our doing that cost us the possibility of defeating Rocky Tirabassi and his gang of sluggers. And that is exactly what happened to us one muggy June night at Lincoln Park.

We was robbed!

There is no other way to put. Umpire Dave Richards robbed us of having any hope of a victory in the very first inning of the game. He let us know right then and there that we were NOT going to beat Tirabassi on that particular evening.

Let me explain.

The 400 Club was playing Tirabassi in a city league game. We played in the top division and it was early enough in the season to still have dreams of dethroning them and finishing in first place.

In order to accomplish this considerable feat we needed to be on top of our game and get a few breaks along the way. I immediately lost the coin toss, giving Tirabassi the home team advantage, forcing us to bat first.

So much for getting a break. Regrettably it wouldn’t be the only break that we did not receive.

With one out in the top of the first inning, Bruce Edmark stepped to the plate. With Meyers and Montemurro set to follow, I knew that it was crucial that Edmark got on base. We needed some early momentum if we were ever to knock off our nemesis.

An anxious Edmark jumped on the first offering from Rocky Tirabassi, sending it right back at the pitcher on one sharp hop. DAMN! But wait, the ball dribbled away from the usually sure-handed Tirabassi and he scrambled to pick it up as the speedy Edmark raced down the line.

When I saw Rocky finally secure the ball, I knew it would be a bang-bang play at first base. The ball and Edmark arrived at the bag at nearly the same instance. As the dust settled I heard umpire Richards call out, “Safe!”

Yes! There was the break we needed. We had a man on with the heart of the order coming up. An angry Rocky Tirabassi shouting, “I want an appeal!” interrupted my short-lived jubilation.

I paused for a second before smiling when I realized that there could be no appeal because Richards was the only umpire that night. His partner had not shown up, so all decisions were his and were final. There was no one to over turn the call.

Or so I thought.

Realizing whom he had just ruled against, Richards suddenly lost his spine and a few other male body parts and reversed his decision. He decided that Edmark was now out. So much for momentum.

I was furious and demanded to know why he changed the original call. Richards meekly told me that Rocky had appealed it. I instantly shouted, “To who? There is no other ump to appeal it to!” he stared at me and said nothing.

When it became obvious that Richards had no intention of seeing the error of his way, I returned to the bench and proceeded to hurl insults at the weak-willed umpire. No cursing mind you, just stuff like, “You’re terrible” and “That was horrible”. But I was loud. Very loud. Ralph Kramden would have been proud of me.

As I watched the smug Rocky Tirabassi standing on the mound grinning from ear to ear, I suddenly became aware of two things. One, Richards was not going to eject me from the contest. He lacked enough intestinal fortitude to do that. Secondly, I knew that we were going to lose to Tirabassi. Again.

And we did.

With a line-up comprised of studs like Bill Johnson, Mark Hackbarth, Chuck Lange, Larry Carbone and Carmen Pillizzi; Rocky Tirabassi needed Dave Richards, posing as an umpire, to give his powerhouse team an edge over my 400 Club team. And he got it.

I said it before and I will say it again. We was robbed. Until next time…from the booth.

It’s Going To Be Epic!

Wow! The premier episode of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains lived up to and exceeded all of the hype leading into the 20th season of the award-winning reality show. Consider this, two minutes into the show we had a villain making a brilliant quote. No less than five minutes later, two of the heroes suffered injuries that nearly sent them home. And if that wasn’t enough, moments later a villain tore the bra off of a hero, only to see the topless hero scamper away and tie the score in the opening Reward Challenge. All that in the first fifteen minutes!

This season is going to epic!

Because we are familiar with the castaways due to the all-star format, I have decided to make this a “notes” column. Besides that, it was a two-hour episode and I am tired. Here are some of the things that I jotted down during the show tonight, beginning with the brilliant quote I spoke of earlier.

“Villains are smarter than heroes. It’s a proven fact. Google it!” - Russell Hantz

Sugar is wearing heels. Nice!

Great first challenge – women in bikinis wrestling in the sand. Excellent!

I was quickly reminded who I like and who I dislike. Likes – Rupert, James, Russell, Tom, J.T. and Amanda. Dislikes – Boston Rob, Parvati, Stephenie, Tyson, Jerri and Cirie.

Although I found it humorous to see Coach beat Colby during the Reward Challenge, I didn’t need Tyson’s smarmy remarks. Shut the hell up dude!

I found it amusing to hear the diabolical Russell telling the equally devious Parvati, “I want you to trust me.”

Maybe it’s the broken toe, but it seems to me that Rupert is still a tortured soul.

Even though I am not a big fan of Boston Rob, I was impressed when he made fire.

Watch for the lovable J.T. to flip and become villainous.

Did anyone else notice that the sound effect used when J.T. broke the chicken’s neck was the same as the one used when the medic pushed Stephenie’s dislocated shoulder back into place?

Speaking of J.T. breaking the chicken’s neck, how long before PETA is officially offended?

Colby has wonderful posture and speaks nicely. However, I am still getting tired of him.

Sugar hasn’t changed much. She is cute as a button, isn’t extremely bright and still cries a lot.

Tom is always thinking. I agreed with him – they should have launched the useless Cirie.

At Tribal Council, Jeff Probst is the master muckraker. He has made it an art form.

You knew Sugar was doomed when she couldn’t even figure out how to open the marking pen when she was casting her vote.

Those were just some of my random thoughts that I had scribbled down during the show. I know that Fellow Survivor Geek Jamie’s hubby is probably disappointed that the precocious Sugar was told, “The tribe has spoken.” I must admit that she was easy on the eyes, but she always spoiled it by opening her mouth.

Having mentioned FSG Jamie, through an email she has expressed some distress based on coming attractions showing Boston Rob passed out in the jungle. She went as far as to threaten a boycott if the bad boy from Beantown makes an early exit.

Like I said, it’s going to be epic! Until next time…from the booth.

Prayers For A Hero

As many of you know my Dad passed on to be with God this morning. I originally posted this last Saturday when things were looking better for Dad. Evidently God needed him “up there” more than we did down here.

Originally posted Saturday, January 30 -

On June 30th, 2006 my parents, Emil and Milly Vagnoni, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. After they renewed their vows at a 5:00 mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the celebration moved to the Moose Lodge.

Before the dinner, John Vagnoni, my Dad’s brother and my Godfather, made a toast to the guests of honor. Uncle John, not known for his public speaking, delivered a speech that was both eloquent and heartfelt. In that speech, he mentioned that Emil, his brother and my Dad, had always been his hero. At that moment, tears began streaming down my cheeks.

Thursday night, tears were streaming down my cheeks for Uncle John’s hero again, but this time for a much different reason.

Without going into great detail, my Dad had to be rushed to the hospital and was put into the Intensive Care Unit. On Friday morning I was told that the next 2 days would be crucial in his recovery.

That same morning, Christine, a Eucharistic Minister from St. Peter’s, brought communion to my Mom and I. While there, she suggested that I call Father Bill to see if he was available to see Dad. With no hesitation, Father Bill said he would leave shortly to bring communion to Dad and perform the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

This comforted me, because I knew that this would do wonders for my Dad.

My brother Joe and his wife Nancy brought Mom to the hospital to be with Dad, with brother Mike on his way as well. My sister Teri was making arrangements for a flight from Pennsylvania to be with her Dad.

After updating all of the relatives, I decided to put a short message on facebook to let everyone else know what was going on. This is what I wrote:

“Dad is in the hospital. Please keep him in your prayers as the medical people help him get better. Thanks.”

The outpour of responses overwhelmed me. No less then 35 people left a message saying that Dad was in their thoughts and prayers.

Today it is evident that God is hearing all the prayers from all of these wonderful people, as Dad’s condition has improved. The power of prayer and faith is truly powerful.

I would like to thank Father Bill, Mike and Amy, Teri and Mike, Joey and Nancy, Uncle Johnny and Auntie Janet, Uncle Joe and Auntie Joanne, Uncle Dave and Aunt Bonnie, Aunt Terri, Melinda, Annie, Anthony, Beryl, Bonnie, Carla, Carol, Cathy, Chris, Christine, Christine, Dave, David, Debbie, Jamie, Jayne, Jim, Joan, Joe, Judi, Karen, Liz, Louise, Mandy, Margaret, Marjorie, Mary, Mary Beth, Mary Kay, Michael, Nicky, Patti, Patty, Peter, Ron, Sharon, Sharon, Stephen, Sue and Susan. Thank you all for your prayers. My apologies if I left someone out, but I love you all.

And of course, I would also like to thank Dr. Habel and the staff at Kenosha Memorial Hospital for their care of our hero. May God bless you all.

That was the post. Thank you my dear friends, please feel fortunate, for now we have someone praying for all of us.